DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

The first organic act, “to organize the Executive Ministry,” October 25, 1845, formally

established the Office of the Minister of the Interior to preside over the Department of the

Interior, later established on April 27, 1846, by an “act to organize the Executive Departments.”

Prior to the first organic act, on March 26, 1845, King Kamehameha III entrusted the duties of

the Minister of the Interior to Dr. Gerrit P. Judd, who served as Minister until February 7,1846.

The act designated the Premier (Kuhina Nui), then John Young II, as Minister but an

amendment relieving the Premier of this duty was passed on January 15,1855. John Young II

resigned the Premiership and continued to serve as Minister until June 6, 1857 when he was

succeeded by Lot Kamehameha (June 1857-December 1863). Later ministers were G.M.

Robertson (December 1863-February 1864), C.G. Hopkins (February 1864-Apri1 1865), F.W.

Hutchison (April1865-January 1873), E.O. Hall (January 1873-February 1874), H.A. Widemann

(February-May 1874), W.L. Green (May-October 1874), W.L. Moehonua (October 1874-

December 1876), J. Mott-Smith (December1876-Ju1y 1878), S.G. Wilder (July 1878-August

1880), J.E. Bush (August-September 1880), H.A.P. Carter (September 1880-December 1881),

W.N. Armstrong (December 1881-May 1882), S.K. Kaai (May-August 1882), J.E. Bush (August

1882-Ju1y 1883), W.M. Gibson (June-October 1886), L. Aholo (October 1886-Ju1y 1887), L.A.

Thurston (July 1887-June 1890), C.N. Spencer (June 1890-September 1892), C.T. Gulick

(September-November 1892), G.N. Wilcox (November 1892-January 1893), J.F. Colburn

(January 13-17, 1893), J.A. King (January 1893-0ctober 1899), A. Young (October 1899-May

1900), S.M. Damon (May-June 1900).

The Minister was responsible for the general supervision over the internal affairs and the

execution of duties assigned by law to his department. This included:

1. Keeping a clear, distinct and full record of all transaction of his department.

2. Care and supervision of all government lands and other property; of the internal trade and

commerce; internal improvements; public health; internal police (transferred to the

supervision of the Attorney General in 1868); post offices; government press;

naturalization of foreigners; and other matters placed in his charge.

3. Charge of the standards of weights and measures and all original manuscript laws enacted

by legislature.

4. Promulgation of such proclamations as may be made by the King.

To aid the Minister in administering these duties, several bureaus, commissions and offices were

established.

Government Lands and Other Property

Land Office

Responsible for the preservation and safekeeping of government property, records

of cession of private lands to the government and the disposition of government

lands, real rents, forfeitures and escheats to the government; issuance of land

patents on government lands sold.

The Board of Commissioners to Quiet Land Titles, February 11, 1846-December

31, 1854, was created to investigate and settle all claims of private individuals to

any landed property acquired after the establishment of this board.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, established August 15,1895 for the

acquisition of homesteads, composed of three commissioners, the Minister and

two persons appointed by the President with the approval of the cabinet. These

commissioners had the control and management of all "public lands" under the

provisions of “Land Act, 1895.” Under this act “public lands” were classified as

follows: a) agricultural lands (3 classes); b) pastoral lands (2 classes); c) pastoral

agricultural land; d) forest land; e) waste land.

Boundary Commissioners were created August 23, 1862 to settle the boundaries

of lands not awarded by the land commissioners, patented or conveyed by deed

from the King or government, by boundaries decided in such award, patent or

deed. Copies of all certificates of boundaries issued by the commission were to

be deposited in the office of the Minister of the Interior.

Bureau of Conveyance

Responsible for the registry of any deed, lease, mortgage or other instruments

required by law to be recorded or presented for record; taking acknowledgment

preparatory to registry; recording of any instrument authenticated by the seal of

this office; granting certificates required by law.

The Registrar had the authority to appoint agents to take acknowledgments to

instruments.

Surveying Bureau

Responsible for making surveys, maps and plans of the government lands, harbors

and internal improvements.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Page 3

Internal Trade and Commerce

Bureau of Internal Trade and Commerce

Responsible for the issuance of licenses such as: auctioneers, keepers of hotels

and victualing houses, keepers of billiard tables, vendors of goods, wares and

merchandise, awa, beef, opium, operators of theaters, circuses and public shows,

manufacturers of wine, etc.

Coasting licenses were issued through the Collector General of Customs.

The Minister was also responsible for the shipping and discharge of seamen. He

had the authority to grant to any suitable person or persons applying therefore, in

writing, a license for one year to establish a shipping office for foreign seaman, at

either of the ports of Honolulu, Lahaina or Hilo. One or more agents were

appointed for each of the ports in whose presence all native seamen of Hawaii

were to be shipped, discharged and paid off. It was the duty of the appointed

agent to render full assistance to all native seamen.

Internal Improvements

Bureau of Public Works

The Superintendent of Public Works was responsible for the management and

supervision of:

a) The construction, repair and maintenance of all government buildings and

other property, roads and bridges, prisons, pounds, etc.

b) All harbor improvements. This included dredging the harbors, demarkation

and improvement of channels, erection of public lights and beacons;

construction and repair of all public wharves and piers.

c) The sewerage system.

d) The government electric light system. The superintendent of Government

Electric Lights was responsible for the lighting of public streets, government

buildings and private residences, and collecting the light rates.

In July 1893, the government gave the franchise for the general supply of

electric power and light for the city of Honolulu to newly incorporated

Hawaiian Electric Company.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Page 4

Bureau of Roads and Bridges

The Road Supervisors were responsible for the direction of public labor on the

roads and bridges and for the disbursement of all road taxes and moneys

appropriated by the legislature for roads and bridges under the instruction of the

Minister.

Road supervisors were appointed by the Minister for each taxation district.

Bureau of Public Market

The Clerk of the Market was responsible for the collection of the market fees and

fines, maintenance of sanitary conditions, inspection of all weights and measures

used in the public markets, and the enforcement of the market laws and

regulations.

Bureau of Water Works

The Superintendent of Water Works was responsible for the maintenance of water

pipes, regulation of the water supply and water rates, collection of water rents, the

construction and maintenance of artesian wells, reservoirs, water plants, fire

hydrants, etc.

Bureau of the Honolulu Fire Department

When established on May 8,1851, the department consisted of a Chief Engineer,

four fire wardens and several firemen. The Chief Engineer, four fire wardens and

several firemen. The Chief Engineer, in all cases of fire had sole and absolute

control and command over all the members of the fire department.

In 1888 the department consisted of a Chief Engineer, two assistant engineers, a

Fire Marshal and as many firemen as found necessary. The general care and

supervision remained directly under the Minister and the Chief Engineer

continued to have the care, control and custody of the department property. The

Fire Marshal replaced the fire wardens and it was his duty to divide the city of

Honolulu into four districts, reporting their boundaries to the Chief Engineer; to

examine the dwelling houses and other buildings for the purpose of ascertaining

any violation of the law; to prosecute all persons guilty of a violation of the law.

In 1893 the Board of Fire Commissioners was created and the office of the Fire

Marshal was abolished. The board was responsible for the general care and

supervision of the fire department. It had the power to issue general rules and

regulations for the government of the department, as they deemed necessary. The

duties of the Fire Marshal were transferred to the Chief Engineer.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Page 5

Bureau of Immigration

Established December 30,1864, for the purpose of superintending the importation

of foreign laborers and to encourage immigration. The bureau constituted of the

Minister and five members of the Privy Council of State.

The Minister with the assistance of the bureau devised and recommended for

adoption, such rules and regulations necessary for the government and control of

the immigrants admitted to Hawaii.

By a law passed June 23,1868, the bureau was authorized to import Polynesians

from other Pacific islands and to provide by contract for their support and

employment. This measure was taken to prevent the depopulation of the Hawaiian

Islands.

Board of Health

Established May 8,1851, for the general oversight and care of the public health. It

was the duty of the board to make regulations necessary for the public health and

safety; for the internment of the dead and respecting cemeteries and burying

grounds; for the government of hospitals placed under the board's supervision; to

prevent the spread of leprosy.

In 1865, the Minister, acting as president of the board, was given the authority to

establish leper settlements and hospitals for the prevention of the spread of

leprosy. He was also authorized to issue licenses to practice medicine upon the

recommendation of the board.

In June 1894 the board was given the control and management of the Insane

Asylum.

Insane Asylum

Established by an act on August 23,1862. The asylum was under the direct

supervision of the Minister who had the authority to appoint the hospital

physician and the overall management of the hospital.

An act approved June 1,1894, transferred to the Board of Health all the powers

and duties heretofore vested in the Minister in relation to the care of insane

persons and the discharge of those who had been insane but have been restored to

sound mind.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Page 6

Prisons, Jails and Houses of Correction

The Minister was responsible for the construction and maintenance of the prisons,

jails and houses of correction as found necessary for the safekeeping, governing

and employing of all persons duly committed thereof.

The Marshal was responsible for the care and custody of prisoners. He appointed

the jailors and other officers upon the approval of the Minister and made monthly

reports relating to prison activities to the Minister.

On July 16,1890, an act was enacted transferring the care and custody of prisoners

to the Department of the Attorney General.

Improvement of Agriculture and Manufactures

It was the duty of the Minister to promote improvements in agriculture and

manufactures by:

a) Collecting and distributing seeds and plants, etc.

b) Protecting and preserving the woods and forests.

c) Making grants to agricultural societies such as the Royal Hawaiian

Agricultural Society.

d) Issuing patents or caveats to inventors or improvers of machines,

manufactures or works of art, in the interest of science, agriculture or

manufactures. The position of Commissioner of Patents was created August

29,1884 to issue patents, caveats and copyrights.

The Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry was organized on January 4,1893, for the

advancement of agriculture, preservation of forests, improvement of livestock,

and protection against the introduction of plant diseases or insect pests. The

bureau was authorized to formulate rules and regulations necessary for the

promotion of its goals; to establish experiment stations; to offer premiums to the

encouragement of new agricultural enterprises; etc.

The Minister was also responsible for the care and supervision of all public

grounds and nurseries and the Royal Mausoleum.

Post Offices

The Postmaster General, under the supervision of the Minister, had the care and

control of the post offices. He had the authority to make rules and regulations

necessary for the government of the post offices and for the safe and speedy

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Page 7

transmission and delivery of the mails; to appoint postmasters in various districts

as required by the public; and he was required to report all transactions of the

General Post Office to the Minister.

The Honolulu Post Office was established on August 4t 1851.

By an act of the 1890 Legislature January It l89lt the supervision of the post

offices was transferred to the Department of Finance.

Government Press

The Director of the Government Press, appointed by the Minister, was responsible

for the control and management of the Government Press and had sole

responsibility thereof. It was his duty as "ex officio" editor of the government

newspaper, the Polynesian, to publish therein all laws, orders, proclamations,

reports, decisions, circulars and notices sent to him by the government

departments. He had the authority to execute job printing, for private persons, at

rates profitable for the government. He was required to submit annual reports to

the Minister. The Minister was given the power to rent, sell or lease the

Government Press whenever he deemed best for the public interests and had the

authority to contract for government printing and for the publication of laws,

orders, etc.

In 1863 the Press was leased to Mr. A. Fornander and later sold in October 1879.

Naturalization of Foreigners

The Minister was entrusted with the superintendence and direction of the

naturalization of foreigners. He had the authority to administer the oath of

allegiance to those accepted for naturalization.

The Minister of the Interior was also entrusted with other matters specifically designated

by law. This included:

1) The Board of Genealogy of Hawaiian Chiefs, created August 9s l880t which was

responsible for the gathering of information on the history and genealogy of the Hawaiian

Chiefs.

2) Appointments of Notaries Public, Agents to Grant Marriage Licenses, Agents to Perform

the Marriage Ceremony, Commissioners of Private Ways and Water Rights, Fence

Commissioners, etc.

3) Election matters, such as issuing election proclamations, appointing the electoral registrar

and election inspectors, designating election sites, providing ballot boxes for each

election district, and filing of the election returns.

4) Promoting construction of railways and railroads; installation of telephone, telegraph and

cables; inter-island steam navigation; and development of the island resources.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Page 8

5) Granting charters of incorporation.

Following the annexation of Hawaii to the United States in 1898, the Office of the

Minister of the Interior was abolished by the Organic Act, establishing a territorial government

for Hawaii, effective June 14,1900. The duties of the Minister were transferred to:

1) Department of the Attorney General

Those duties relating to prisons, prisoners and prison inspectors; notaries public; and

escheat of lands under the laws of Hawaii.

2) Department of the Treasurer

Duties relating to licenses, corporations, companies, registry of conveyances and

registration of prints, labels and trademarks.

3) Commissioner of Public Lands

The issuing of land patents; settlement of boundaries; and sales, grants, leases and

dispositions of public property.

4) Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry

5) Superintendent of Public Works

The supervision of all public improvements and all duties not granted specifically to

another agency.

6) Surveyor

The powers and duties of the Surveyor General under the Minister.

7) Secretary of the Territory

The recording and preserving of all the laws and proceedings of the legislature and all

acts and proceedings of the governor; promulgating proclamations of the governor; and

matters relating to elections.

Other duties performed as an independent nation came under Federal control, such as

patents, copyrights, immigration and naturalization.

Department of the Interior – Container Lists

Interior Dept., Subject

Boxes 1-58

Subject file consists primarily of correspondence

arranged by subject or areas of responsibility of the

department. Many of the letters in this file relate to

applications for positions. The records in this file are

individually indexed on cards.

Interior Dept., Land

Boxes 59-102

Land file consist of incoming letters with attachments

relating to leases or purchase of government lands.

Undated letters or documents arranged numerically,

followed by date letters arranged chronologically. This

file is indexed in the Land card indexes. The documents

may be indexed by person or land name.

Interior Dept., Regulatory

Boxes 103-132

Regulatory file consists of transactions for bonds,

certificates or licenses to conduct a business or trade.

They are arranged by type of permit, then

chronologically thereunder. The records in this file are

not individually indexed on cards.

Interior Dept., Citizenship

Boxes 133-139

Records relating to citizenship are arranged by type of

record. The indexes to Denization Records and the

Special Rights of Citizenship are in “Indexes to

Records Concerning Citizens and Residents Alien in

the Hawaiian Islands” (Call No. REF 351.817 .H3).

Naturalization Records

Series 234

Naturalization Records consist of Certificates of

Nationality, Register of Oaths of Allegiance, Oaths of

Allegiance, Naturalization Record Books,

correspondence, and applications for naturalization. See

series description for individual organization of each

record group.

Interior Dept., Miscellaneous

Boxes 140-155

Miscellaneous file consists of incoming letters about

functions of the department, excluding land

transactions. Undated letters are arranged numerically,

followed by dated letters arranged chronologically. The

documents in this file are indexed in the Subject and

Name card indexes.

Interior Dept., Letterbooks

Volumes 1-127

The Letterbooks consist of, primarily, outgoing

correspondence from the Interior Department covering

all aspects of the department’s duties and

responsibilities.